The Samsung Galaxy M22 and Realme 8i represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they diverge in their approach to performance and display technology. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 8i is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G96 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Galaxy M22’s Helio G80, making it more suitable for gaming and demanding applications. While charging is slower, the comparable battery endurance mitigates this.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 14 | 2021, September 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 13 | Available. Released 2021, September 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 74 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) | 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~274 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 600 nits (HDR) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.1 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Light Blue | Space Black, Space Purple |
| Models | SM-M225FV, SM-M225FV/DS | RMX3151 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 440 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.62 W/kg (head) 1.24 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 131h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.4 LUFS (Average)
|
Samsung Galaxy M22
- Faster 25W charging
- Established Samsung brand reputation
- Potentially more refined software experience
- Less powerful Helio G80 chipset
- Display specifications are unknown
- Potentially lower gaming performance
Realme 8i
- More powerful Helio G96 chipset
- Brighter and higher contrast display (540 nits, 1244:1)
- Potentially better gaming performance
- Slower 18W charging
- Realme UI may not appeal to all users
- Less established brand reputation
Display Comparison
The Realme 8i boasts a measured peak brightness of 540 nits and a 1244:1 contrast ratio, indicating a more vibrant and visible display, especially outdoors. While the Galaxy M22’s display specifications aren’t provided, Realme’s numbers suggest a superior viewing experience. The contrast ratio is particularly important for media consumption, offering deeper blacks and more impactful colors. The lack of information on the M22’s panel type makes a direct comparison difficult, but the 8i’s specifications point to a more modern and visually appealing screen.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is impossible. However, given the market positioning, it’s likely both rely on similar budget-oriented camera modules. The absence of information suggests neither phone is a standout performer in the camera department, focusing instead on core functionality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 8i’s Mediatek Helio G96, with its octa-core configuration featuring 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, represents an architectural improvement over the Galaxy M22’s Helio G80 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55). The Cortex-A76 cores in the G96 offer a performance advantage in single-core tasks and gaming. While both are 12nm chips, the G96’s newer architecture translates to better efficiency and sustained performance. This means the 8i will handle graphically intensive games and multitasking with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both the Samsung Galaxy M22 and Realme 8i share an endurance rating of 131 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite differing charging speeds. The M22 supports 25W wired charging, significantly faster than the 8i’s 18W. This means the M22 can replenish its battery more quickly, a benefit for users who frequently need to top up their charge. However, the identical endurance rating indicates that the 8i’s slightly smaller battery (assumed, as capacity isn’t specified) is efficiently managed by the Helio G96 chipset.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M22 if you prioritize a brand with a well-established ecosystem and a generally reliable software experience, and your usage is primarily focused on everyday tasks like browsing and social media. Buy the Realme 8i if you prioritize gaming performance and responsiveness, and are comfortable with Realme’s UI, which often offers more customization options and a focus on speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 8i’s Helio G96 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
The Helio G96 is specifically designed for gaming. While we haven't tested it directly on these devices, the G96’s architecture and core configuration should allow for playable frame rates at high settings in PUBG Mobile, though you may need to adjust graphics settings for optimal performance and sustained frame rates.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Samsung Galaxy M22 a significant advantage over the 18W on the Realme 8i?
Yes, 25W charging is noticeably faster than 18W. While both phones have comparable battery endurance, the M22 will replenish its battery from 0-100% in a shorter timeframe, which is beneficial for users who need a quick top-up.
❓ Does the Realme 8i’s Realme UI offer a lot of bloatware?
Realme UI has historically included some pre-installed apps (bloatware), but it has improved in recent iterations. Users can typically uninstall or disable most of these apps, and the UI offers a degree of customization that some users appreciate.
❓ How does the Helio G96 in the Realme 8i compare to the Helio G85 found in other budget phones?
The Helio G96 is a step up from the Helio G85. The G96 utilizes more efficient CPU cores (Cortex-A76 vs A75) and a slightly faster GPU, resulting in improved performance in both gaming and general usage. It's a more capable chipset overall.
